Below are the top five events and dates in developing a school district budget in my opinion:
1. August 20 – District budget must be prepared: this date is important so that you can begin with the end in mind. As a superintendent, you must know that this is the date by which the budget process must be completed.
2. August 31 - Deadline for adopting district budget: Although the budget must be complete by August 20th, this date is important so that the legal requirements of the board can be fulfilled.
3. Mid-May - Preliminary property values from the local appraisal district: budgets cannot be completed without knowing the amount of money with which a district has to work. This is a key piece to the puzzle.
4. July 25 - Certified tax rolls provided: same criteria as above.
5. Mid-March – Budgetary planning amounts due: while this date will vary from district to district, it is imperative that input be received from the various stakeholders of the district. This date represents the beginning of the planning process – the collection of the budgetary needs of the district. The superintendent must begin the budgetary process by knowing the needs of the district.